course-details-portlet

TEP4310

Solid Waste Technology and Resource Recovery

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course covers technologies for solid waste management and recycling and resource recovery from waste systems. The contents of the course includes:1) Introduction to waste management, technology, economics, policy and regulation, 2) Generation and characterization of waste, 3) Life cycle assessment of waste systems, 4) Waste collection, 5) Waste minimization, material recycling and mechanical treatment, 6) Thermal treatment, 7) Biological treatment, 8) Landfilling, 9) Solution for selected waste types (e.g. hazardous waste, WEEE, plastic waste).

Learning outcome

Knowledge - students will have acquired knowledge of

  1. Key strategies and solutions for effective solid waste management.
  2. Relevant policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks in waste management.
  3. Technical processes involved in waste management and resource recovery.

Skills - students will be able to

  1. Explain the fundamental components of waste policy.
  2. Describe the main elements of waste generation and characterization.
  3. Compare common technical solutions and designs for waste collection, treatment, and resource recovery.
  4. Interpret life cycle assessment (LCA) studies related to waste systems.
  5. Evaluate essential requirements for creating effective and environmentally sustainable solid waste management systems.

General competence - students will be capable of:

  1. Applying a systems perspective when assessing solid waste management solutions and systems.
  2. Effectively communicating with both specialists and decision-makers in the field of waste management.

Learning methods and activities

The course is structured around three main components: lectures, exercises, and a group semester project, each constituting approximately one-third of the course content. Excursions and guest lectures from experts in waste management and treatment further complement the course with practical insights.

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercises

Further on evaluation

Written final exam (70%) and semester project (30%) will form the bases for the final grade.

If there is a re-sit examination the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Required previous knowledge

No particular previous knowledge required.

Course materials

Selected parts of textbooks:

  • Thomas H. Christensen: "Solid Waste Technology & Management", Wiley 2011.
  • Stijn van Ewijk and Julia Stegemann: "An Introduction to Waste Management and Circular Economy", UCL press, 2023.

Selected other materials.

Subject areas

  • Environmental and Resource Engineering
  • Energy and Process Engineering
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Thermal Energy and Hydropower - Combustion and the Environment

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Energy and Process Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 70/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.
Semester project
Weighting 30/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 70/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.